University  of  C 
Berkeley, 

in  sending  the 


me, 


I9E2* 


nuch  pleasuBe 
Weavings". 


--O^yi-^o^L 


U 


' 


/ 


GLEANINGS 


AND 


WEAVINGS 


BY 

ISABELLA  GILLETT 


SAN  FRANCISCO 
MARVIN     CLOYD 

1922 


COPYRIGHT,  1922 
By  ISABELLA  GILLETT 

ALL  RIGHTS  RESERVED 

PUBLISHED  JANUARY,  1922 

SAN  FRANCISCO 


4697 


I  k> 


DEDICATED  TO:- 

Voices  that  speak  and  the  heart  still  sway 
Though  years  may  have  passed  since  the  bygone  day 
When  Friendship's  sweet  bond  and  Love's  sweet  truth 
First  answered  my  heart  in  childhood  and  youth. 

THE  AUTHOR. 


CONTENTS 

Page 

Sealed  Melodies 3-4 

The  Star  of  Peace 5-6 

Enthrallment   7 

California    8-9-10 

Yesterday  11 

Youth 12 

One  Flag   13-14 

Content   15 

Aftermath 16-17 

A  Voice  From  the  Heart 18-19 

The  Narrower  Way 20-21 

The  Lading 22-23 

Ingratitude 24-25 

The  Flight 26-27 

Lullaby 28-29 

Tramp 30-31-32 

Incertitude 33-34 

Fortune's  Quest 35-36-37 

The  Goblet 38-39 

San  Francisco 40-41 

A  Crooked  Stick 42-43-44 

Reputation 45-46 

The  Blunder 47 

Opportunity 48-49-50 

(Continued  on  Next  Page) 


CONTENTS— Continued 

Page 

The  Heart  of  a  Rose , 51 

Over  the  Waves 52 

Night's  Benison. 53-54 

Memories 55-56-57-58 

Bubbling  Waters 59-60 

Little  Feet. 61-62 

Destiny's  Torch , 63 

Doubting  Heart 64-65 

The  Derelict 66-67 

Friendship 68 

Hearth  and   Home 69-70 

Love  Song 71-72 

The    Rainbow 73 

A   Fantasy. 74-75-76 

A  Woman's  Smile 77 

The  Silence 78 

The  Girl  of  My  Dreams 79-80 

The  Quiet  of  Night 81 

Forgetfulness 82 

Hidden , 83-84 

Winter 85-86 

Sleep  ...... 87-88 

Remembrance   .  89 


SEALED  MELODIES 

OEEP — deep — within  my  slumber 
There  breathes,  within  my  dreams, 
Melody  entrancing — 
So  sweet — to  me — it  seems. 
In  my  heart  its  music 
There  first  the  notes  I  hear, 
Then  through  my  thought  soft  weaving 
It  breathes  upon  my  ear. 
Ah — the  haunting  sweetness — 
I  linger  o'er  each  note, 
Caressing  in  its  cadence, 
That  in  my  dream  I  wrote ! 
Awakening  from  my  slumber 
My  fingers  seek  the  strain, — 
But  fugitive — elusive — 
They  seek  in  vain — in  vain. 

Deep — deep — within  my  slumber, 
Within  my  dream  breathe  words 
That  to  me — in  my  dreaming — 


[3] 


Transcend  the  song  of  birds. 
Ah — the  depth — the  meaning — 
Revealed  in  verse — its  rhyme, 
Ah — the  beauty  seeming 
Pregnant  in  each  line ! 
My  pulsing  heart-beats  quicken — 
My  heart  so  richly  fraught, 
My  inmost  being  thrilling 
To  the  lading  of  my  thought. 
Awakening  from  my  slumber 
Vain — vain — I  seek  each  word — 
Deep  sealed  within  my  dreaming,- 
Its  voice — its  song — unheard. 


[4] 


THE  STAR  OF  PEACE 


in  the  sky  its  glistening  light 
Bright  and  brighter  glowed  — 
The  Star  that  through  the  darkness  of  night 
The  way  to  the  Savior  showed. 

The  shepherds  —  it  met  their  startled  gaze 

And  as  its  effulgence  they  saw 

It  rilled  their  thoughts  with  wond'ring  amaze, 

Their  hearts  it  filled  with  awe. 

The  shepherds  —  they  followed  the  Star  to  where 

Unswervingly  it  led  — 

To  where  a  Mother  and  a  Babe  so  fair 

Lay  in  a  lowly  bed,  — 

Sweet  Mary  and  the  Christ  whose  Birth 

In  that  Manger  in  Bethlehem 

Brought  the  message  to  all  the  earth  :  — 

"Peace  on  earth,  Good-will  to  men." 

"Peace  on  earth,  Good-will  to  men"  — 
The  Savior's  heart  there  lies,  — 


[5] 


Those  words — He  lived  and  died  for  them  ; 
Who  now  that  Cause  denies  ? 

The  heart  of  the  world  now  bleeding, 
By  combat,  by  conflict  torn, — 
It  cries  for  Christ's  interceding — 
That  His  Spirit  again  be  born. 
The  earth — how  long  must  it  suffer 
Ere  its  strife  be  done 
And  nation  to  nation  offer 
The  hand  in  fellowship  won, — 
The  wounds  of  the  world — its  blood — 
Stanched  by  the  spirit  of  love, — 
Nation  with  nation  in  brotherhood 
Blessed  by  His  Spirit  above? 

"Peace  on  earth,  Good-will  to  men" — 
That  Cause  may  we  maintain — 
Nor  let  the  Savior's  Blood  have  been — 
His  Cross  have  been — in  vain. 


[6] 


ENTHRALLMENT 

[OONLIGHT  softly  gleaming 

Silvering  night  and  sea; 
>tars — the  sky  bright  beaming — 
A  glistening  canopy ; 
Wavelets,  gently  lulling, 
Lap  and  lave  my  boat, — 
Thought  and  spirit  dulling 
To  this  world — its  note ; 
Melody  sweet  breathing 
On  the  listening  air — 
A  guitar  so  lightly  weaving 
Through  a  love-song's  prayer; — 
My  boat  soft  rising— falling, — 
Music's  subtle  spell, — 
The  moon,  the  stars,  enthralling, 
Allure — entice— compel ; — 
This  world  I  lose — its  meaning, — 
Thought  and  spirit  float 
In  fairyland— its  seeming — 
As  idly  rocks  my  boat. 


t7] 


CALIFORNIA 

Y  the  waves  of  the  blue  Pacific, 

O'erlooking  the  waters  wide, 
She  lies  in  her  beauty  magnetic, 
Fair — by  the  ocean's  side. 
The  ocean  comes  to  her  door, 
It  enters  the  Golden  Gate, 
It  laps  and  leaps  on  her  shore, 
California — our  Golden  State  ! 
From  his  throne,  the  sun,  looking  down, 
Lends  to  her  beauty  and  grace 
The  gold  of  his  mantle  and  crown — 
Touches  with  glory  her  face. 
And  the  blue  of  the  sky  above 
Seems  to  loiter — to  linger  there — 
As  loath  to  leave  labors  of  love 
It  smiles  on  our  state  so  fair ; — 
Smiles  upon  hill  and  dale, 
On  bay,  on  lake,  on  stream ; 
Smiles  upon  mountain  and  vale 
In  their  chequered  beauty  seen ; 


[8] 


Upon  the  forests'  grandeur, 

On  stalwart  redwood  trees 

That  rise  aloft  and  tower 

Undaunted  by  storm  and  breeze ; 

Upon  the  marvel,  solemnity, 

Of  dome,  of  waterfall, — 

The  wonders  of  Yosemite 

That  to  the  wide  world  call ; 

Smiles  upon  the  verdure 

With  which  the  fullness  of  earth 

Gives  in  harvests'  measure 

To  California's  golden  birth ; 

Gives  from  vine  and  vineyard, 

Pasture  green  and  field 

Where  Nature  proves  ne'er  laggard 

Nor  niggard  with  earth's  yield ; 

Orange  grove,  and  olive, 

Green  and  golden  grain, 

Orchards — fruit  and  blossom — give 

Claim  to  golden  fame. 

Rising  up  to  their  height, 

Embracing  her  in  their  length, 

Mountains  guard  in  their  might 


[9] 


Our  state  with  their  rugged  strength  ; 
And  they  render  to  her  their  wealth 
In  treasure  from  richness  of  veins, 
In  dower  of  vigor  and  health, 
In  tribute  of  moisture  and  rains. 

California !  The  charms  are  golden 
Where  opens  the  Golden  Gate — 
But  ever  must  be  beholden 
To  speak  our  Golden  State. 
Nature's  voice, —  glen  and  glade — 
Rippling  rill  and  brook — 
Forest  fern— leaf  and  shade,— 
Speaks  no  written  book. 
Sylvan  bowers — golden  hours — 
Note  and  song  of  birds— 
Fairest  gardens — sweetest  flowers — 
Speak  ne'er  written  words. 


YESTERDAY 

HE  day — it  fled  on  the  wings  of  the  morrow 
But  the  breath  still  lives  of  its  passing  hours,- 
Lives  in  the  buds — lives  in  the  blossoms — 
Lives  in  the  fragrance  of  the  sweetest  flowers. 

Yesterday !  It  could  not  linger 

But  it  speaks  again  in  the  song  of  the  birds, — 

Their  sweetest  lay  brings  again 

The  echo  of  soft  whispered  words. 

The  rays  of  the  sun  more  golden  seem — 
The  moon — the  stars — more  brightly  gleam 
When  in  the  garden  of  memory 
O'er  those  hours  with  you  I  linger  and  dream. 


[11] 


YOUTH 

TANDING  at  the  cross-roads 
Where  days  of  childhood  end 
[ot  long  we  loiter,  linger, 
Backward  gaze  to  send. 
But  brief  the  vision  pauses 
On  days  so  brief  to  last, 
Thought — it  dwells  but  lightly 
On  the  milestone  to  be  past. 
We  seek  the  widening  vista — 
Adventure — hopes — and  dreams — 
The  future  with  its  visions 
A-light  with  glowing  gleams. 
Youth,  impatient,  eager, 
Hastens — the  milestone  won — 
Hastens  to  follow  the  fireflies 
That  gleaming  lure  it  on. 


[12] 


ONE  FLAG 

are  here  in  God's  own  country, 
We  are  here  with  millions  strong,- 

Then  in  our  strength  so  mighty 

Let  our  strength  be  strong ; 

Let  our  hearts  united 

Be  ever  welded  firm, 

Nor  let  our  steps,  benighted, 

To  false  gods  ever  turn ; 

But  one  united  people 

With  strength  to  do  and  dare, 

To  our  country  faithful, 

Our  loyalty  declare. 

Let  one  flag  wave  o'er  us, 
The  red,  white  and  blue — 
With  stars  to  ever  guide  us, 

Loyal  hearts  and  true; — 
One  flag  to  which  our  nation 

Shall  allegiance  pay, — 
Nor  let  diverse  occasion 


[13] 


Win  our  faith  away. 
One  Flag !  Should  foe  conspire 
Let  not  our  footsteps  lag, 
But  hearts  and  homes  inspire 
To  rally  'round  our  flag ! 

We  are  here  in  God's  own  country, 
We  are  here  with  millions  strong,- 

Then  in  our  strength  so  mighty 

Let  our  strength  be  strong. 

With  faith  in  God  and  Country 
One  banner  let  us  bear, — 
With  unity — with  loyalty — 

Our  record  will  be  fair. 

The  Stars  and  Stripes  wave  o'er  us, 
The  red,  white  and  blue, 

Its  stars  to  ever  guide  us — 
Hearts  to  Country  true ! 
The  Stars  and  Stripes  forever ! 
Destiny  awaits — 
Awaits  with  fairest  dower 
Our  fair  UNITED  STATES ! 


[14] 


CONTENT 

grow  along  the  wayside 
One  flower  blooming  there 
That  brief  though  be  its  hour 
Breathes  sweetly  on  the  air ; 
To  touch  the  slumbering  strings 
And  in  the  notes  to  hear 
One  strain  that  softly  soothing 
Should  reach  some  wearied  ear; 
To  paint  within  a  canvas 
Picturing  the  night 
One  ray  with  brush  that  humble 
Yet  speaks  the  sunrise  bright ; — 
When  the  day  were  waning, 
The  sun — its  rays — near-spent, — 
In  the  glow  of  the  sunset, 
The  heart  would  feel  content. 


[15] 


AFTERMATH 

OFTLY,  softly,  speak  not  so  fast — 

For  hasty  words  too  long  may  last, 
And  the  word  you  speak  so  swift  today 
Long  may  linger,  long  may  stay. 
To  hasty  words  we  give  little  thought 

To  the  weight  with  which  they  may  be  fraught, 

Nor  heed  their  aftermath  of  sorrow 

That  may  freight  each  day  and  freight  each  morrow ; 

For  though  light  spoken,  words  have  not  wings — 

But  import  that  remains,  that  clings, 

And  Memory  with  her  pen  and  file 

Is  writing,  is  writing  all  the  while, 

For  Memory — though  it  be  with  tears — 

Must  keep  the  record  of  the  years. 

Many  a  day  that  dawns  so  bright — 
Ere  the  dawn  brings  on  the  night, 
Memory  weeps  o'er  the  hasty  word 
That  by  the  ear  of  Friendship  heard — 
Friendship's  seed,  though  tenderly  sown, 


[16] 


The  bud — the  flower — in  the  dust  are  thrown  ; — 
And   Memory — though   she   weep   o'er  the   word- 
Who  can  recall  the  word,  once  heard? 
And  though  we  weep  o'er  words  hasty  spoken — 
Who  can  restore  the  Friendship  broken? 

Many  a  day  that  dawns  so  bright — 

Ere  the  dawn  brings  on  the  night, 

Love  lies  heavy  in  the  throes  of  death — 

Slain  by  the  word  whose  fatal  breath, 

Barbed  with  keen  and  bitter  dart, 

Pierces  again  and  again  the  heart. 

Memory — thoug'h  she  weep  o'er  the  word — 

Who  can  recall  the  word — once  heard? 

And  we — though  we  weep  o'er  Love's  death-bed- 

Who  can  restore  to  life  the  dead  ? 

Softly,  softly,  speak  not  so  fast, 

For  hasty  words  too  long  may  last ; — 

Friendship — its  dirge  too  often  is  sung — 

Too  often  Love's  grave  is  dug — by  the  tongue. 


[17] 


A  VOICE  FROM  THE  HEART 

eO,  fond  thought,  and  to  her  speak 
The  love  that  lies  within  my  heart- 
The  love  that  lips  and  tongue  are  weak 
Its  weight  and  import  to  impart! 

Go,  fond  thought,  and  speak  the  hope 
That  lies  within  my  inmost  soul 
And  lures  me  ever  on  to  grope 
Toward  one  fondly  cherished  goal ! 

Speak  to  her  of  nights  and  days 
Passed  in  darkness,  deep,  profound, 
Unless  broken  by  the  rays 
Of  light  that  in  her  eyes  are  found. 

Speak  to  her  of  golden  dreams 
That  wrap  the  hours,  waking,  sleeping, 
When  touched  by  the  glowing  gleams 
Of  the  love  that  I  am  seeking. 


[18] 


Go,  fond  thought,  and  to  her  speak 
The  love  that  fills  my  heart  so  bold — 
The  love  that  lips  and  tongue  are  weak 
Its  world  of  longing  to  unfold ! 


[19] 


THE  NARROWER  WAY 

OD,  give  us  Faith — to  carry  on, — 
Faith — to  hold  to  the  end, — 
Through  the  doubts  that  now  do  frown — 
Doubts  that  our  Faith  now  rend. 
God,  lead  us  back  to  the  narrower  way 
That  our  fathers  knew, — 
Nor  let  our  footsteps  longer  stray 
From  the  path  that  leads  to  You. 
Too  great  the  distance  we  have  made 
From  our  fathers'  thought, — 
Too  great  the  distance  we  have  strayed 
In  new  pathways  sought, — 
Newer  pathways  lined  with  fears, 
Strewn  with  shattering  hopes, — 
Pathways  where  through  doubt  and  tears 
Our  wavering  Faith  now  gropes ; 
Pathways  where  our  hectic  joy 
Ever  more  does  tend 
Our  life,  our  being,  to  destroy 


[20] 


As  we  those  pathways  wend. 

Ever  does  the  road  we  go 

Have  its  mete  and  bound; — 

Let  our  Faith  sink  not  so  low 

That  it  rest  within  the  ground. 

From  the  worldly  passion — pleasure — 

That  now  our  senses  lure, 

Lead  us  back  to  the  fuller  measure 

Of  life  and  joy  more  pure. 

Give  us  Faith — to  hold  to  the  treasure 

Where  leads  the  narrower  path — • 

That,  with  Faith,  we  escape  the  measure, 

God,  of  coming  wrath ! 


[21] 


THE  LADING 

HT  dawn — in  the  sun's  early  hours — 
When  earth  was  still  moist  with  dew, 
I  sought  and  I  gathered  these  flowers 
Where  in  their  beauty  they  grew. 

With  dewdrops  their  petals  are  laden — 
They  lie  in  the  heart  of  each  flower — 
Ah — if  the  dewdrops  knew 
The  thought  in  my  heart  each  hour ! 

The  flowers— I  would  that  they  could  speak 
When  they  from  me  depart ; 
I  would  they  could  tell  the  longing 
That  speaks  within  my  heart. 

Their  fragrance — I  would  that  it  could  breathe 
The  sweetness  of  the  dream 
That  led  me  on  my  pathway 
This  morn  at  dawn's  early  gleam. 


[22] 


Ah — if  the  flowers  could  speak — 
Could  breathe  a  subtle  spell 
That  would  incline  the  heart 
To  list  to  the  tale  they  tell ! 

The  dewdrops — were  each  a  gem, 
Each  gem — its  beauty — were  thine 
In  jewelled  crown — in  diadem — 
Offered  at  love's  shrine ! 


(23] 


INGRATITUDE 


came  a  little  stranger 
And  stood  outside  my  gate,  — 
So  little  and  so  lonesome, 
So  patient  did  he  wait, 
That  seeming  quite  pathetic 
In  his  sorry  plight, 
I  took  him  in  and  warmed  him 
By  my  hearthside  bright. 
I  gave  to  him  the  best 
My  heart  it  could  afford,  — 
Most  generous  I  thought  I  shared 
With  him  my  store  —  its  hoard; 
But  ah,  the  little  rascal  ! 
How  could  he  treat  me  so  ? 
Ne'er  I  thought  ingratitude 
Could  ever  sink  so  low  ! 
Unthinking  and  unseeing  — 
One  day  I  felt  a  smart 
And  found  an  arrow  planted  — 


[24] 


Imbedded  in  my  heart. 
That  little  beggar,  Cupid, 
Had  shared  my  fare  with  me 
And  then,  his  arrow  piercing, 
He  but  mocked  me  in  his  glee. 


[25] 


THE  FLIGHT 

with  its  brilliant  plumage 
Spreads  its  wings  on  the  air ; — 
Fluttering — it  rises, — poising — it  soars, 
And  leaves  our  fostering  care. 
One  moment  its  brilliant  plumage 
We  see  it  gleaming  bright, — 
And  then  the  distance  claiming — 
It  fades  upon  our  sight. 
Ah — the  wayward  wanderer — 
What  perils  may  it  greet, — 
The  night,  the  darkness  falling, 
How  will  it  the  shadows  meet? 
What  arrow  wanton  speeding 
Through  the  air  may  speak ; — 
What  eagle's  talons  hovering 
Ruthless  its  life  may  seek? 
Could  our  prayers  but  guard  it 
On  its  winged  flight ! 
Could  our  hearts  but  guide  it 
There  beyond  our  sight ! 


[26] 


But  circumscribed — our  hearts 
Must  linger,  tempest-tost, — 
Our  vision  too  proscribed 
May  not  pursue  its  course. 
Circumscribed — our  hearts 
Can  but  tend  the  gate 
Until  the  wayward  pinions — 
By  the  guiding  ringer  of  Fate — 
Seek  the  cage  where — luring — 
Wide  we  hold  the  door 
That  Hope — we  pray — returning- 
May  enter  and  leave  no  more. 


[27] 


LULLABY 

YE-LOW— baby  dear- 
Twinkling  stars  are  peeping 
To  see  my  baby  here 
Softly,  sweetly  sleeping. 

Bye-low — baby  dear — 
The  silver  moon  is  gleaming 
To  see  my  baby  here 
Softly,  sweetly  dreaming. 

Bye-low — baby  dear — 
Flowrets  are  reposing, — 
Pretty  posies,  baby  dear, 
They  are  softly  dozing. 

Bye-low — baby  dear — 
In  the  branches  nestling 
The  little  birdies,  baby  dear, 
They  too  now  are  resting. 


[28] 


Bye-low — baby  dear — 
The  sandman  is  a-creeping, — 
Soon  my  little  baby  here 
Will  be  gently  sleeping. 

Bye-low — baby  dear — 
Moon  and  stars  are  beaming 
For  they  see  my  baby  dear 
Softly,  sweetly  dreaming. 


[29] 


TRAMP 


was  his  father?" 
That's  one  of  those  jokes 
For  he's  one  doesn't  bother 
About  claiming  of  folks. 
He's  only  "just  dog"— 
That's  what  they  say  ; 
Several  kinds  of  a  dog  — 
If  you'll  have  it  that  way. 
He  makes  no  claim 
As  a  pedigreed  pup 
But  he's  not  to  blame 

For  his  birth  or  bring-up. 
#  *  * 

"My  own  pedigree?" 
Well  —  what's  that  to  you? 
It's  enough  —  I  had  family 
And  bringing  up,  too  ; 
Yes,  I'd  a  home, 
Friends  and  money; 
Now,  as  I  roam 
It  seems  kind  of  funny. 
Just  a  hobo  — 


[30] 


Only  a  bum — 

I  guess  I've  sunk  low, — 

And  it's  all  from  rum. 

*  *  * 

"Why  don't  I  try 

To  cut  out  the  booze  ?" 

When  it  once  gets  a  guy 

He's  lost  grit  to  choose. 

Kicked  from  some  door 

Begging  a  bite 

Perhaps  I  get  sore 

But — I  can't  make  the  fight. — 

It  seems  kind  of  queer 

In  this  little  old  world 

How  some  pages  are  clear 

And  some,  blotted  and  blurred. 

What  the  great  scheme  is 

Some  day  p'raps  we'll  know 

When  each  fellow  gets  his 

On  high  or  below. 

But  it's  no  use  to  whine 

About  what  we  may  get, 

For  when  I  get  mine 

I've  deserved  it,  you  bet. — 

But  that  little  fellow— 


[31] 


They  call  him  a  cur — 
But  he's  got  no  yellow 
If  his  blood  isn't  pure. 
He's  got  no  family 
In  the  Hall  of  Fame 
But  my  old  Tramp — he 
Could  make  his  own  name. 
He's  not  much  to  look  at — 
Kind  of  ornery  like — 
But  it's  more  than  looks  that 
Makes  a  man  or  a  tyke ; 
It's  the  heart  inside — 
Not  the  looks  alone — 
And  that  dog  would  divide 
With  me,  his  last  bone. 
And  my  old  Tramp — 
Gosh-darn  his  old  hide — 
I  wouldn't  trade  that  scamp 
For  the  whole  world  beside. 
*  *  * 

And  you  ask  "Is  he  game?"  sir— 

"And  can  he  fight?"— Well 

Just  touch  his  master,  sir, 
And  he'll  fight  like— hell ! 


[32] 


INCERTITUDE 

HAIN  my  heart  would  speak — 
And  yet  would  it  refrain 
Nor  lose  the  moment's  hope 
For  all-persistent  pain. 

Would  my  heart  could  steal 
The  secret  where  it  lies 
Hid  within  the  depths 
Of  guiling,  guarded  eyes ! 

Could  heart  but  read  those  lips 
Inscrutable, —  if  read — 
Their  word — were  not — when  heard- 
Rather  left  unsaid ! 

Ah,  cruel  Thought !   To  know 
And  charms  so  freely  paint, — 
And  wishful  heart  to  leave 
In  conflict  torn  and  faint ! 


[33] 


For  fain  my  heart  would  speak 
And  yet  would  hesitate 
To  brave  the  "Yes"  or  "No" 
Of  the  baffling  lips  of  Fate. 


[34] 


FORTUNE'S  QUEST 

OO  coffers  I  ask  of  silver  or  gold, — 
No  caskets  of  precious  stones, — 
no  sway  of  power  to  hold 
That  lies  in  monarch's  thrones. 
I  ask  but  the  wealth  that  lies  in  the  length 
And  the  width  of  the  world  so  wide, — 
I  ask  but  the  sceptre  that  lies  in  the  strength 
Of  care-free  heart — and  stride. 
I  ask  but  the  wealth,  the  fortune  that  lies 
In  the  vault  that  domes  the  earth ; 
I  ask  but  the  fortune  that  lies  'neath  the  skies, 
That  circles  the  earth,  its  girth. 
But  the  gold,  I  ask,  of  the  rays  of  the  sun 
To  meet  my  eyes,  my  vision, — 
And  the  glistening  stars  and  the  silvery  moon- 
The  gleaming  jewels  of  heaven, — 
To  see  the  sun  rise  to  its  height — 
To  see  the  sunset  glow — 
The  moon  and  stars  light  up  my  night — 
The  dawn's  first  gleam  to  know ; — 


[35] 


To  roam  o'er  hill — to  roam  o'er  dale — 

O'er  country-side  and  road, — 

To  know  the  mountain — know  the  vah 

Nor  know  no  fixed  abode; — 

To  see  the  mountains  meet  the  sky 

Where  in  the  clouds  they  hide, — 

To  see  white  sails  go  scudding  by 

Where  they  the  ocean  ride ; — 

To  climb  the  cliff — the  height  to  scale— 

And  from  the  apex — crown — • 

Where  ends  the  narrow  winding  trail 

Upon  the  world  look  down. 

I  ask  the  wealth  that  lies  in  field — 

Within  the  garden-bower, — 

The  beauty  and  the  fragrant  yield 

Of  bud  and  leaf  and  flower. 

I  ask  the  wealth  in  glen  and  glade — 

In  woodland  dell  and  dingle — 

To  wander  'neath  the  forest's  shade 

Where  fern  and  bracken  mingle; — 

To  tread  the  needles  of  the  pine — 

To  lie  by  running  stream — 

To  idly  cast  the  hook  and  line 


[36] 


Where  finny  tribes  do  teem. 
I  ask  the  wealth  in  song  of  birds — 
In  voice  of  rippling  brook; — 
I  ask  the  wealth  within  the  words 
And  leaves  of  Nature's  book. 

Keep  your  caskets  and  your  coffers,- 
Let  monarch  hold  his  throne, — 
But  give  to  me  where  Fortune  offers 
The  wide  world  free  to  roam. 


[37] 


THE  GOBLET 

gS  strain  of  music  elusive, 
They  hover  on  confines  of  dream, — 
As  the  firefly  in  the  pathway — 
To  flit  with  fugitive  gleam. 
They  came — they  went — golden  moments, 
They  came — they  sped  on  their  way — 
To  haunt  the  dream  in  sleeping — 
To  flit  with  the  break  of  day. 
Ah — to  have  held  one  hour, 
Hid  so  deep  away 
That  never  its  joy,  its  sweetness, 
Might  steal,  be  stolen  away. 
The  bee  ever  stores  its  honey 
Sipping  from  flower  to  flower, — 
Of  those  golden  moments  garnered 
Ah — to  have  stored  one  hour! 
One  hour — one  hour — its  nectar — 
Hid  deep  in  the  depths  of  the  heart — 
To  drink — to  sip — at  the  pleasure — 
To  quench  the  thirst  of  the  heart. 


[38] 


In  the  garden  I  wait — I  linger — 
I  linger  there  alone, — 
I  seek  the  blossoms — the  flowers, — 
Their  joy — their  sweetness — have  flown. 
Golden  the  moments  garnered, — 
Gleaned  from  the  fruitage  of  years, — 
But  Memory  drinks  from  a  goblet 
Filled — not  with  nectar — but  tears. 


[39] 


SAN  FRANCISCO 

HOUGH  far  the  footsteps  wander— 
Though  far  may  stray  the  thought- 
Though  far  the  heart  a-roving 
The  dream  of  life  has  sought — 
Ever  a  spell  recalls 
And  ever  it  lures  one  back — 
Back  to  San  Francisco — 
Back  to  its  beaten  track. 

Though  far  in  life's  adventure 
The  vivid  fancy  stray, 
Seeking  treasure,  pleasure, 
Along  the  world's  highway, 
Ne'er  the  venturer  finds 
The  charms  that  ever  await 
And  bring  again  to  the  portal — 
Again  to  the  Golden  Gate. 


[40] 


San  Francisco  !  Never  the  heart 
May  your  pathway  learn 
But  footsteps  that  depart 
Again  and  again  must  return. 
Your  subtle  powers  endure 
And  ever  hold  captivate 
Hearts  that  enter  your  door 
There  by  the  Golden  Gate ! 


[41] 


A  CROOKED  STICK 

HERE  were  suitors  who  came  and  courted  me, 
_        And  suitors  there  were  who  left  me  free; — 
For  Dick — I  liked  not  the  shape  of  his  nose, — 
And  Harry — I  liked  not  the  style  of  his  clothes ; 
William — he  walked  all  too  weightily, — 
And  Peter — he  talked  all  too  pompously; 
Mathew  and  Tom — I  had  loved  none  the  less 
Did  they  not  to  me  their  love  confess. 
And  so  'twas  said — "Too  long  you'll  tarry — 
A  crooked  stick  in  the  end  you'll  marry." 

When  John  looked  my  way  with  his  dignified  air 
The  years  had  sprinkled  with  gray  his  hair, 
But  the  years  that  brought  him  the  touch  of  gray 
Had  brought  John  much  in  a  worldly  way, — 
For  his  pockets  well-filled,  his  bank  account 
Ah  me, — it  was  ever  a  goodly  amount ; — 
While  Jerry — alas — were  his  pockets  many — 
Of  pockets,  Jerry,  he  needed  not  any, — 


[42] 


For  his  coat  was  shabby  in  the  light  of  the  sun 

For  of  dollars  Jerry  had  few  or  none ; 

But  who  could  think  of  silver  or  gold 

When  Jerry's  eyes  looked  tender,  yet  bold, 

And  when  'neath  the  stars  we  wandered  together 

My  heart  was  light — as  light  as  a  feather, — 

And  when  on  my  ear  his  whisper  I  heard 

My  heart  it  sang — it  sang  like  a  bird. 

But  ever  they  said — "Too  long  you'll  tarry — 

A  crooked  stick  in  the  end  you'll  marry." 

John — his  air  was  most  dignified 

As  I  walked  from  the  church  at  his  side  a  bride 

And  in  the  years  I  have  been  his  wife 

Little  he  has  known  of  storm  or  strife, — 

For  John  had  the  wisdom  that  comes  with  age 

And  could  tame  a  bird  in  a  gilded  cage. 

But  as  the  bird  that  beats  'gainst  the  bars 

Times  there  are  when  'neath  the  stars 

My  heart,  it  flutters  and  then  grows  cold 

When  I  think  of  eyes  once  tender,  yet  bold, — 


[43] 


And  times  there  are  in  my  dreams  when  I  hear 
A  whisper  breathed  so  soft  in  my  ear 
And  struggling  to  catch,  so  faint,  its  word — 
Times  there  are  when  mocking  I've  heard 
An  echo  that  speaks — "Too  long  you'll  tarry ; 
A  crooked  stick  in  the  end  you'll  marry." 


[44] 


REPUTATION 

IT  may  be  that  the  heart 
May  hold  no  thought  of  wrong 
Nor  ne'er  in  life  may  part 
From  principles  held  strong ; 
But  foolish  lips  there  speak 
To  mischief  but  inclined, — 
Malicious  lips  they  seek 
Their  mirrored  wish  to  find. 
The  wagging  tongue  of  Rumor — 
Started  on  its  course — 
Slackens  not  to  seek  nor 
Trace  its  lading's  source ; 
With  bridle  held  but  light 
It  makes  but  little  matter 
If  in  its  speed — its  flight — 
Reputations  shatter. 
Consistent  with  our  thought 
Should  our  bearing  be 
That  no  charge  be  brought 
Of  actions  all  too  free. 


[45] 


Fair  Fame — that  Fate  has  willed- 
We  may  not  feel  its  worth, — 
But  lack  of  it— unfilled— 
We  know,  in  full,  its  dearth. 


[46] 


THE  BLUNDER 


GHE  day  that  we  two  parted 
Could  you  my  thought  have  read 
As  eager,  so  eager-hearted, 
Too  swift  the  moments  sped,  —  • 
My  thought  —  those  words  that  thronging 
My  heart  it  feared  too  bold 
And   lips   repressed  their  longing;  — 
And   then  you   thought   me  cold.  — 
Cruel  —  that  woman  less  free 
Must  be  in  love's  expression, 
And  love  it  then  should  be 
Lost  by  its  repression  ! 
Pride  —  it  could  not  cross 
The  chasm  dug  by  Fate 
Nor  words  repair  their  loss  — 
Words  they   were  too   late;  — 
And  now  two  lives  asunder  — 
Each  in  its  separate  path  — 
Fate  but  laughs  at  its  blunder 
Nor  cares  for  its  aftermath. 


[47] 


OPPORTUNITY 

HAIR  he  stood  in  his  conscious  strength, 
In  the  full  of  his  youth  and  his  pride, 
Fair  he  stood  and  his  eyes  swept  the  length 
And  the  width  of  the  world  so  wide. 

Long  he  gazed  upon  its  arena, 

Upon  the  battle-field  there, 

Where  Pride,  Ambition,  Purpose,  Endeavor, 

Array  to  do  and  to  dare. 

Long  he  gazed,  and  with  flashing  eyes 
Stood  fair  in  the  morning  sun 
As  he  gazed  on  the  field,  gazed  on  the  prize, 
On  the  trophies  to  be  won. 

At  length  he  cried — "The  field  is  mine — 
Its  victory  comes  to  me — 
To  me  the  day  in  the  fullness  of  time 
And  the  trophy  whate'er  it  be. 


[48] 


Be  it  Fortune,  or  be  it  Fame, 
Or  Power  that  I  choose, 
The  day  I  claim,  its  glory  gain, 
Nor  ne'er  the  vantage  lose !" 

Many  the  weapons  that  came  to  his  hand, 
And  each  for  his  favor  vied ; 
Many  the  weapons  that  failed  his  demand, 
He  scouted  and  cast  them  aside. 

"This,"  he  cried,  "it  fits  not  my  birth, 
Nor  measures  this  to  my  pride" ; 
"This"  he  cried,  "it  has  not  the  worth 
For  length  of  Ambition's  stride !" 

Ever  he  sought  the  steel,  its  mettle, 
And  ever  the  sun  rose  high ; 
And  ever  he  cried,  "When  ends  the  battle ; 
At  my  feet  the  foe  shall  lie !" 

Ever  persistent,  Opportunity  sought 
His  eye,  his  favor  to  gain; 


[49] 


But  ever  too  humble  to  meet  his  thought, 
It  met  with  his  disdain. 

But  when  the  day — its  sun  did  wane, 
By  its  parting  light 

The  Weapon  that  sought  his  eye  in  vain 
On  the  field  shone  fair  and  bright; 

But  the  Youth,  who  stood  in  his  conscious  strength 

Fair — in  the  morning  sun, — 

On  the  field  he  measured  his  length — 

The  field  the  foe  had  won ! 


[SO] 


THE  HEART  OF  A  ROSE 

HEY  buried  my  love  beneath  the  sod ; 

They  buried  my  heart  with  the  fall  of  the  clod  ; 
My  heart,  my  soul,  my  hope,  all  lay 
With  my  love  in  the  ground,  in  earth's  cold  clay ; 
Only  my  thought  lived  to  weep 
O'er  that  grave  in  the  ground,  so  cold,  so  deep ; 
Only  my  thought  lived  to  be 
Mocked  by  its  dreams  and  its  memory. 
Beneath  the  sod  where  they  buried  my  dead 
A  seed  I  buried  in  that  lowly  bed, 
And  in  the  thought  that  surges,  that  sears, 
The  seed  and  the  sod  I  watered  with  tears; 
Until  at  length  the  seed  did  'wake 
And  through  the  sodden  clods  did  break 
Reaching  upward  to  the  day, 
Up  to  the  sun's  warm  golden  ray ; 
And  there  in  the  fullness  of  God's  own  hour 
It  bloomed,  it  blossomed,  in  a  glowing  flower, — 
And  the  sodden  clods  did  disclose 
God  and  my  love  in  the  heart  of  a  rose. 


[51] 


OVER  THE  WAVES 

Y  ship  is  sailing  on  the  sea 
And  the  portents  I  search  them  wishfully. 

lowering  cloud  that  darkens  the  sky 
I  watch  it  till  it  passes  by. 
Each  breeze  that  rising  stirs  the  air 
I  seek  its  import,  foul  or  fair. 
The  dawn  I  'wait  and  the  rising  sun 
I  trace  it  till  its  course  be  done 
And  the  moon  and  the  stars  with  softer  gleams 
Guide  my  ship  with  its  hopes  and  its  dreams. 
My  hopes,  my  dreams,  my  ship  it  bears; 
And  my  heart  it  follows  it  close  with  its  prayers. 
But  north,  or  south,  or  east,  or  west, 
Some  day  o'er  the  ocean,  borne  on  its  crest, 
Breasting  the  waves  and  riding  free 
My  ship  will  bring  its  lading  to  me. 


[52] 


NIGHT'S  BENISON 

OAYLIGHT  is  fading,  the  flowers  sink  to  rest, 
Shadows  are  falling,  the  birds  seek  their  nest, 
Swiftly  the  curtain  of  night  closes  'round 
Enfolding  all  nature  within  its  arms ; 
Darkness  and  silence  hold  land  and  sea, 
Darkness  and  silence  enveloping  me. 
Out  of  the  shadows  that  fold  'round  my  heart 
I  send  forth  a  prayer  far  into  the  dark : 
"Love,  I  am  weary,  the  night  is  so  long, 
I  need  thee,  dear  one,  thee  and  thy  song. 
Deep  grow  the  shadows,  fainter  the  gleams 
Of   Hope's    glowing   rainbow    and    Love's    golden 

dreams. 

Tears  blind  my  eyes,  so  lonely  the  way, 
Vainly  1  'wait  the  day." 

Daylight  has  faded,  the  flowers  are  at  rest, 
Shadows  have  fallen,  birds  are  in  the  nest. 
Softly  the  curtain  of  night  closing  'round 
Lulls  tired  nature  to  sleep  in  its  arms. 
The  moon,  softly  gleaming,  silvers  the  night, 


[53] 


Twinkling  stars  beaming  their  vigils  of  light. 

Was  it  the  breath  of  the  slumbering  flowers, 

Or  the  breeze  faintly  whispering  in  the  still  hours? 

"Love,  I  am  waiting,  the  night  is  soon  o'er, 

In  the  'Forever'  we  shall  part  no  more. 

Deep  though  the  shadows,  more  glowing  the  gleams, 

Dawn  still  will  come  to  Life's  rainbow  dreams, 

Beyond  the  starshine  and  moon's  silver  ray 

Is  the  golden,  the  glorious  day." 


[54] 


MEMORIES 

ACK  to  the  past  memory  drifts, 
To  the  past,  to  far-gone  days, 
Whose  lure  ever  calls,  whose  charm  never  palls, 
And  the  wayward  heart  still  sways ; 

Back  to  the  past  memory  drifts, 
To  the  past,  to  far-gone  scenes, 
Bearing  the  print  of  Time's  ceaseless  tread 
But  still  unchanged  in  dreams; 

Back  to  the  past,  to  days  and  scenes 
'Ere  Time's  indelible  trace 
The  furrows  of  years,  the  furrows  of  tears 
Left  upon  heart  and  face. 

Life  may  bring  its  meed  of  treasure — 
Ambition  may  bring  success — 
Pride  may  work  accomplishment 
In  full  or  in  excess — 


[55] 


New  years  may  bring  new  friends  with  grasp 
Of  friendship  strong  and  true — 
New  loves — new  hopes — sentiment, — 
To  which  we  render  due ; 

Yet  back  to  the  past  Memory  drifts 

To  days  beyond  recall, — 

'Ere  Life  and  its  years,  Time's  furrows  and  tiers 

Built  an  ever  encroaching  wall. 

Back  to  the  past  Memory  drifts, 
To  the  past,  to  far-gone  days 
When  happiness  spun  a  web  so  sheer — 
Soft  as  a  summer  haze ; — 

Back  to  childhood's  happy  days 
Untouched  by  thought  of  the  morrow — 
When  encircling  arms  sheltered  and  kept 
From  fear  and  harm  and  sorrow ; 

Back  to  childhood's  happy  hours, 
Fled  upon  gossamer  wings, 


[56] 


Intangible  to  touch,  elusive  to  clutch, 
And  yet  with  power  which  clings ; 

Back  to  childhood's  artless  joys — 
The  simple  boon  and  pleasure, 
To  childhood  light  as  thistle-down 
But  gaining  later  measure; 

Back  to  childhood's  hearts  and  hands — 
To  early  friends  so  dear, 

Whose  greeting  warm,  now  distant  and  gone, 
In  thought  we  seem  to  hear ; 

Back  to  childhood's  sheltering  arms 
Whose  close  embrace  we  knew, 
Whose  lips  we  pressed,  whose  hands  caressed, 
In  love,  so  fond,  so  true. 

Life  may  bring  its  meed  of  treasure — 
Ambition  may  bring  success — 
Pride  may  work  accomplishment 
In  full  or  in  excess — 


[57] 


New  years  may  bring  new  friends  with  grasp 
Of  friendship  strong  and  true — 
New  loves — new  hopes — sentiment, — 
To  which  we  render  due ; 

But  oh — for  childhood's  hours  and  joys, 
The  loving  hearts  we  knew — 
The  sheltering  arms — the  endearing  charms — 
Now  past  and  lost  to  view ! 

Oh — for  childhood's  happy  days 

And  scenes  beyond  recall 

Which  linger  in  dreams — whose  memory  clings 

And  holds  the  heart  in  thrall ! 


[58] 


BUBBLING  WATERS 

HFACE  looked  out  into  the  night 
With  eyes  that  sought  a  gleam  of  light ; 
Two  hands  were  pressed  against  a  heart 
Bruised  and  stricken  in  the  world's  grim  mart; 
A  breast  there  heaved  with  silent  despair, 
Torn  by  grief  and  want  and  care. 
The  twinkling  stars  lighted  the  dark 
But  no  ray — no  gleam — no  single  spark 
Pierced  that  heart  in  its  grim  despair ; 
Pierced  that  breast  in  its  struggle  with  care. 
God  sat  there  in  His  Temple  on  High 
But  no  message  was  sent  from  the  twinkling  sky. 
Two  hands  that  were  pressed  against  a  heart 
Toward  Heaven  did  suddenly  reach  and  dart ; 
Two  lips  breathed  forth  a  hurried  prayer, 
Asking  God's  mercy  in  His  Temple  there ; 
A  leap — a  plunge — and  the  waters  cold 
In  their  embrace  a  soul  did  hold. 
The  twinkling  stars  lighted  the  night 
With  ray — with  gleam — with  spark  so  bright, — 


[59] 


But  only  the  bubbling  waters  revealed 
A  grave  and  the  anguish  it  concealed ; 
Only  the  bubbling  waters  told 
Of  a  heart  so  faint — and  its  leap  so  bold. 


[60] 


LITTLE  FEET 

OO  not  hasten  those  little  feet 
From  their  childhood  ways, — 
Let  them  stay — nor  hasten  them 
Too  soon  from  childhood  days. 

Do  not  hasten  those  little  feet 
Forth  in  the  world  so  wide, — 
Let  them  by  the  hearth  and  home 
In  childhood  longer  abide. 

Let  those  little  hearts  expand 
Longer  in  childhood's  sun 
Nor  let  them  shrink,  nor  let  them  wither 
Too  soon  from  life's  vast  sum. 

All  too  soon  those  little  feet 

Must  bear  those  little  lives 

And  hearts  forth  to  the  world's  arena — 

Forth  to  its  fetters  and  gyves. 


[61] 


All  too  soon  life's  stern  battle 

May  win  their  joy  away, — 

Ah !   Let  them  stay, —  nor  hasten  them 

Too  soon  from  childhood  play ! 


[62] 


DESTINY'S  TORCH 

REATHES  there  a  land  'neath  fairer  skies 

Where  fairer  promise  awaits 
Than  the  land  o'er  which  our  banner  flies — 
The  Flag  of  the  United  States? 

Destiny  with  her  gleaming  torch 
Seeks   and   searches   our   shore, — 
Destiny  with  a  scroll  so  fair 
Stands  waiting  at  our  door. 

Our  Country  needs  each  loyal  thought 
Inscribed  within  her  name, — 
Our  Country  needs  each  heart  enrolled 
In  the  roster  of  her  fame. 

Freedom  with  her  flag  so  fair 
Invites  within  her  gates, — 
Destiny  seeks  with  her  promise  there 
A  united — United  States. 


[63] 


DOUBTING  HEART 

OOUBTING  heart,  why  seek  the  depths 
When  the  heights  are  there  to  climb,— 
Why  grovel  in  mud  and  mire  when  Thought 
Can  on  pinions  fly? 
The  earthworm  grubbing  in  its  lair 
Of  night's  dark  prison-cells 
Yet  ventures  upward  toward  the  day 
In  blind  gropings  there; 

But  you, — whose  Thought  and  Fancy — free — 
Can   untrammelled   soar, — 
You  grope  'mongst  black  and  sodden  clods 
Nor  see  blue  sky  above. 
The  tiny  seed  hid  in  the  bosom 
Of  brooding  Mother-earth — 
Held  and  nourished  by  the  force 
And  strength  of  her  life-blood — 
Breaks  from  her  restraining  grasp, 
Ever  upward  striving, 
And  in  the  ray  of  the  golden  sun 


[64] 


To  golden  grain  does  come. 

When    all    space    lies    about — 

When  all  nature  speaks — 

When  heart  reaching  forth  to  heart 

Does  call  and  point  Beyond — 

Why    stay — why    stumble — in    pitfall 

Of  cold  and  clinging  clay, — 

Why  not  rise  in  thought,  on  pinion, 

To  gleaming  sun  and  sky? 


[65] 


THE  DERELICT 

GONE!  Hurled  into  Eternity 
With  all  his  sins  upon  his  head ! 
Gone !   To  stand  before  the  Almighty 
And  lay  his  foul  record  bare ! 
Without  a  prayer  the  tie  was  severed 
That  bound  him  to  this  earth, 
And  hurtled  through  space,  his  soul  was  sped 
To  the  infinite  vast  Beyond. 
Oh  mothers  of  men — as  you  gaze  on  your  babes 
Today  in  their  innocent  beauty, 
Who  can  say  how  those  feet  may  stray 
In  the  highways  and  byways  of  life! 
Had  he  no  mother — the  limp  figure  there — 
There  at  the  end  of  a  rope, 
No  proud  mother  who  scoffed  at  the  pain 
Of  childbirth  when  it  was  o'er 
And  she  held  to  her  breast  the  soft  tender  flesh 
Of  the  man-child  she  had  borne; 
No  fond  mother  who  wove  tender  dreams 
Mingled  with  mother-love  prayers 


[66] 


As  she  fondled  her  babe  in  his  sweet  innocence 

And  visioned  his  future  so  fair? 

And  oh !  The  horror  and  ghastly  despair 

Had  mother-love  foreseen 

The  child  that  she  bore  and  nursed  at  her  breast 

Dangling  from  the  end  of  a  rope ! 

Oh,  God  !  In  love  and  infinite  mercy 

Take  the  sweet  babe  in  Thy  care — 

That  no  more  may  the  life  commenced  at  the  breast 

End  on  a  rope  in  the  air ! 

Oh,  God!   In  love  and  infinite  mercy 

Open  our  eyes  and  our  hearts — 

That  we  may  see  and  we  may  straighten 

The  tortuous  pathways  of  youth ! 


[67] 


FRIENDSHIP 

OF  the  blessings  that  Heaven  to  Earth  may  give 
What  joy,  what  wealth  in  Friendship  live! 
How  dear  to  the  heart  it  is  to  hold 
The  name  of  one  who,  ne'er  grown  cold, 
Ever  is  there  in  life  to  heed 
The  voice  of  the  heart — to  answer  its  need; 
One  who,  ever,  whate'er  befall, 
Responsive  is  though  mute  be  the  call ; 
One  in  thought  to  thought  so  bound — 
Linked  in  close  reciprocative  bond — 
That  though  the  lips  speak  not  o'er-much, 
The  language  within  the  look — the  touch — 
The  clasp — the  pressure  of  the  hand — 
Speaks  the  meaning — "to  understand." 
The  years  may  not  linger — they  fade  into  past — 
But  Friendship,  enduring,  the  years  may  out-last, — 
And  speech — how  may  it  give  or  lend 
Enrichment  to  the  name  of — Friend  ! 


[68] 


HEARTH  AND  HOME 

HE  went  her  way,  day  by  day, 

Through  Life's  stern  thoroughfare; — 
The  roses  that  had  strewn  her  path 
Long  had  withered — only  thorns  were  there ; 
Thorns  to  pierce  her  weary  feet, 
Her  empty  arms,  her  yearning  hands, 
As  through  the  hour-glass  of  Time 
Fell  the  steady  stream  of  sands. 
But  of  the  thorns  that  Time  had  left 
Within  her  heart  she  made  no  moan 
As  she  went  the  rough-hewn  path — 
Through  the  briers  and  over  the  stone. 
But  whitened  hair  its  story  spoke, — 
The  lines  deep-graven  on  her  face 
Life's  harsh  story  mutely  told — 
With  mute — but  unmistaking  trace. 
And  as  she  went  her  daily  way 
And  I  her  daily  courage  saw, — 
Her  patience — resignation — all — 
Filled  my  wondering  soul  with  awe; 


[69] 


Until  at  length  my  questioning  lips 
Did  seek  the  intent  of  her  thought 
That  led  her  on  through  life — to  bear 
The  burden  with  which  her  life  was  fraught. 
"My  life?"— she  said— "Not  here  I  live- 
But  there  where  leads  my  hope  most  fond — 
There  where  wait  with  open  arms 
My  dear  ones  in  the  life  Beyond. 
What  though  the  way  be  long  and  weary — 
And  though  the  way  I  go  alone — 
When  at  the  end  to  meet  and  greet  me 
Are  my  dear  ones,  hearth  and  home !" 
"But,"— I  cried— "if  this  world  be  all— 
If  the  weary  way  that  now  you  wend 
Leads  to  naught  but  oblivion, — 
What  if  this  world— it  be  the  end?" 
"What  then  ?"— she  said— "I  live  in  my  hope,— 
If  my  hope  should  fail — why  then  should  I  weep  ? 
If  my  hope  should  fail  I  shall  not  know 
For  my  heart  and  I  so  sound  shall  we  sleep." 


[70] 


LOVE  SONG 

O'ER  the  waters  gliding 
Swift  my  bark  does  go, 
The  gentle  waves  swift  riding, 
The  breeze  so  faint  and  low. 
Soft  the  moonlight  gleaming 
Silvers  night  and  sea, — 
Soft  the  moonlight  beaming 
And  stars  are  calling  thee. 
To  thy  lattice  speeding 
Swift  my  bark  does  come — 
Where  my  heart  is  leading 
To  thee — to  thee — dear  one. 
Where  my  bark  is  riding 
Thy  love  is  'waiting  thee, — 
Thy  heart  thy  footsteps  guiding 
Ah — haste  thee,  love,  to  me. 


[71] 


Awake  thee  from  thy  dreaming, — 

Come,  my  boat  does  ride 

Where  moon  and  stars  are  gleaming 

And  call  thee  to  my  side. 

Eager  my  heart  is  beating, — 

Ah — linger  not  so  long, 

Awake  thee  to  my  greeting — 

Awake  thee  to  my  song. 

Too  swift  the  moments  fleeting, 

Ah — linger  not  so  late, 

Haste  thee  to  our  meeting — 

Impatient  here  I  'wait. 

Where  my  bark  is  riding 

Thy  love  is  waiting  thee, — 

Thy  heart  thy  footsteps  guiding 

Ah — haste  thee,  love,  to  me. 


[72] 


THE  RAINBOW 

COULD  not  linger  longer 
In  this  vale  of  tears 
Did  not  the  rainbow  lure  me 
Onward  through  the  years ; 
For  though  the  skies  may  lower 
And  shadows  close  enfold — 
'Tis  said  where  ends  the  rainbow 
There  lies  a  pot  of  gold. 
So  ever  on  I  struggle 
Toward  the  rainbow's  ray 
Seeking  for  the  truth 
Of  that  I  hear  them  say. 
Though  the  days  may  weary 
Lengthening  into  years — 
Ever  I  seek  the  rainbow 
Gleaming  through  the  tears. 


[73] 


A  FANTASY 


lure  of  the  golden  Isle  of  Dreams- 
Who  has  not  known  its  charm? 
In  those  fair  enchanting  scenes 
Who  has  not  found  sweet  balm  ? 

No  fortune  too  poor  to  make  the  flight 
To  that  golden  isle,  — 
No  fortune  too  poor  to  seek  the  delight 
With  which  it  does  beguile. 

Sometimes  by  the  fireside's  gleam  — 
By  its  ruddy  glow,  — 
Sometimes  by  the  running  stream 
I  on  that  journey  go. 

The  Fancy  free  —  Thought  in  tune  — 
No  ban  —  no  barrier  bars  — 
Though  I  sail  by  sun  or  moon 
Or  through  the  twinkling  stars. 


[74] 


And  when  I  do  that  journey  make, 
Ne'er  my  thought  may  tire, 
For  on  that  journey  I  may  take 
With  me  Heart's  Desire. 

I  visit  dear  or  distant  lands 

That  Time  has  e'er  refused, — 

But  quite  abashed  old  Time  there  stands, 

With  edicts  all  confused; 

And  scenes  I  view  and  wondrous  sights 
Tongue  could  ne'er  describe — 
Rivalling  Tales  of  Arabian  Nights — 
On  that  flight — its  ride. 

As  a  panorama  spread — 

Or  vast  kaleidoscope — 

Varied  beauties — their  charm  ne'er  fled — 

The  heart  and  mind's  full  scope. 

And  as  I  gaze,  I  there  may  see 
Pleasures  I  have  known — 


[75] 


Joys  too  that  eluded  me 
I  there  may  meet  and  own. 

And  perchance  'way  far  across  the  sphere, 
In  some  dear  old,  quaint  old  place, 
Though  passing  strange  it  seems  not  queer, 
I  meet  fond-remembered  face. 

And  at  length  in  my  golden  Isle  of  Dreams 
I  come  to  my  castle  there, — 
In  the  sunlight  it  glistens  and  gleams — 
My  castle  up  there  in  the  air. 

Who  and  what  my  coming  'wait 
By  the  hearthside  fire 
Of  my  castle  whose  gleaming  gate 
I  reach  with  Heart's  Desire? 

Who  and  what  await  by  the  fire 
Of  my  castle,  to  me  may  be  known, — 
But  only  to  me  and  to  Heart's  Desire; — 
Each  one  must  people  his  own. 


[76] 


A  WOMAN'S  SMILE 

IDE  o'er  the  world  my  heart  did  rove 
Searching  the  earth  for  treasure-trove- 
Seeking  the  pot  of  gold  that  lay 
Concealed  where  ends  the  rainbow's  ray. 
Deep,  deep,  I  delved ;  of  life  partook 
Till  weary  feet  at  length  forsook 
Their  wandering — ceased  to  roam — 
Retraced  their  steps  and  turned  back  home. 
There  the  pot  of  gold  concealed 
In  a  vision  it  was  to  me  revealed — 
And  I  saw  where  its  fullness  of  treasure  lies 
In  the  unfathomed  depths  of  a  woman's  eyes  ;- 
I  saw  where  its  wealth — riches  untold — 
Lay  fast  in  a  woman's  heart  and  hold; — 
I  saw  where  of  life — all  worth  while 
Lay — for  me — in  a  woman's  smile. 


[77] 


THE  SILENCE 

Y  yearning  heart  reaches 
Through  the  silence  it  may  not  break 
rith  thought  that  ever  beseeches 
And  would  your  heart  awake — 
Awake  unto  its  pleading — 
Awake  to  its  hidden  want, — 
But  the  silence,  grim,  unheeding, 
Stalks,  a  spectre  gaunt. 
Only  the  echo  murmurs 
My  thought — each  poignant  word, — 
Only  the  echo  answers 
My  heart — its  prayer  unheard, — 
Only  the  echo  speaking 
Mocks  my  tortured  hope, 
As  dumbly,  darkly,  seeking 
My  heart  must  ever  grope. 


[78] 


THE  GIRL  OF  MY  DREAMS 

HE  girl  of  my  dreams — I  see  her 

Ever — each  day — each  hour; — 
Ever — in  waking — in  slumber — 
I  see  her  beauty's  fair  dower. — 
You  ask  me  her  picture — to  paint  it? 
Her  picture — 'tis  graved  on  my  heart — 
Indelible,  each  feature  is  writ, 
But  tell  me  just  where  must  I  start? 
Her  eyes — you  ask  me  their  color — 
Are  they  brown  or  of  gray  or  of  blue? 
The  girl  of  my  dreams  when  I  see  her— 
Her  eyes  are  with  lovelight  true. 
Her  cheek— is  it  fair  as  the  lily— 
Or  more  with  the  damask  glows? 
Her  cheek,  be  it  fair  as  the  lily 
When  I  see  her  it  tinges  with  rose. 
Her  tresses — are  they  of  ebon — 
Or  lighter — more  golden  the  tint? 
Her  tresses — when  I  see  them 


[79] 


I  see  but  the  sunlight's  glint. 

Vivacious — it  she?   Or  demure — more  shy? 

Is  she  coy — or  free  from  all  guile? 

Ah — could  you  see  but  the  light  in  her  eye ; 

Could  you  see  but  her  witching  smile ! 

Her  stature — you  ask?   Her  inches 

I  can  tell  to  minutest  part — 

The  girl  of  my  dreams — she  reaches — 

She  reaches  just  to  my  heart. 

And  now  I  have  painted  her  picture — 

The  girl  of  my  dreams  is  revealed ; — 

Her  picture — you  see  it, — no  feature 

Have  I  hidden  or  left  concealed. 


[80] 


THE  QUIET  OF  NIGHT 

'OFTLY  the  Night  hovers 

O'er  the  weary  day 
As  the  sun's  last  lingering  gleam 
Fades  in  the  west  away. 
Earth  that  with  the  daylight 
Spoke  with  busy  hum — 
Her  voice  with  evening  shadows 
Grows  faint — the  day's  work  done. 
Softly  the  Night  hovering 
Draws  the  earth  to  her  breast ; 
Holding — enfolding, — crooning — soothing,- 
Night  cradles  the  earth  to  rest. 


[81 


FORGETFULNESS 

GHIDE  not  the  heart  that  seems  to  live- 
That  seems  to  live  and  forget, — 
See  you  the  blood  that  the  heart  may  bleed 
In  the  struggle  to  live — to  forget? 
The  sun  that  sheds  its  golden  rays 
Upon  the  daylight  hours — 
Sees  the  sun  the  night  that  falls — 
The  midnight  pall  that  lowers  ? 
The  sun  that  sheds  its  golden  rays — 
Its  lingering  gleam  is  brief, — 
Lengthening  the  shadows  of  night  that  creep 
And  hold  in  torturing  grief. 
Not  in  the  gay  and  festive  scene 
May  the  heart  forget  its  sorrow, — 
But  the  heart  in  the  vivid — the  living  throng 
May  struggle  to  live  the  morrow. 


[82] 


HIDDEN 

EARING  along  a  rough  road 
That  seemed  to  never  end, 
Through  ruts  and  rocks  and  brambles 
The  way   seemed  but  to  wend. 
The  rocks,  the  ruts — they  bruised  my  feet 
And  the  brambles  caught  my  gown, — 
Thought  dwelt  but  on  the  milestones 
To  reach  the  distant  town. 
Sudden,  amongst  the  briers, 
As  if  it  there  did  hide, 
A  flower's  blooming  beauty 
My  grudging  eye  espied. 
Its  fairness  and  its  fragrance 
Seeming  so  mis-placed — 
It  seemed  that  fairer  setting 
It  fitter  would  have  graced. 
My  hand — it  reached  to  pluck  it, 
And  then  my  hand  I  stayed — 
Wondering  if  its  fairness 
Were  better  there  displayed ; 
If  some  other  wayfarer, 
Following  after  me 


[83] 


With  heavy  step  and  grudging  eye, 

Its  beauty  rare  might  see. 

I  left  it  there  to  greet  him, — 

But  thought  had  lost  its  bent, — 

No  longer  on  the  milestones 

Was  it  fixed  intent; 

But  'mongst  the  rocks  and  brambles 

I  sought  new  beauties  fair ; 

Not  always  did  I  find  them — 

But  I  found  that  they  were  there. 


[84] 


WINTER 

trees  have  lost  their  vesture, 
The  green  of  summer  gown — 
The  red  and  gold  of  autumn; — 
The  boughs  are  naked  brown. 
The  meadows  and  the  orchards 
Lie  drear  and  devastate, 
The  mountains  and  the  marshes 
Show  bleak  and  desolate. 
The  autumn  chill  grown  colder, 
Where  fallen  leaves  lie  dead — 
The  earth — frost  and  snow  entomb — 
Their  hoary  mantle  spread. 
The  skies,  with  pall,  dark,  somber, 
With  lowering  clouds  o'ercast, 
Enshroud  the  sun,  the  moon,  the  stars, — 
Their  brilliance — paling — past. 
The  lowering  clouds  more  sinister 
Grow  with  portent's  form, — 
Big  with  rain  and  hail  and  sleet 
They  speak  the  gathering  storm. 


[85] 


The  winds — they  lash  the  naked  trees, 
The  clouds — they  loose  their  hold, 
Their  torrents  pour, — with  gust  and  gale 
Winter's  arms  enfold. 


[86] 


SLEEP! 

LEEP !    To  win  thy  favor— 

What  favor  could'st  thou  ask 
That  heart  would  not  discover 
And  willing  bear  its  task! 
To  woo  thy  arms,  oh  Slumber! 
Forget  the  sordid  day, 
The  hours  of  night — their  number 
Yielding  to  thy  sway; — 
The  frenzied  thought  that  fills 
The  mind  with  spectres  gaunt, — 
Grief's  distorted  vigils, — 
Grim  care  and  carping  want, — 
Those  shapes  that  pathways  haunting 
Pursue  the  restless  day, 
And  e'en  with  voices  taunting 
Upon  the  night  they  prey; — 
Their  forms  to  find  effacement 
As  weary  eyelids  close, 
And  in  thy  fond  embracement 
The  heart  finds  sweet  repose, — 
To  drift  as  on  the  down 
Of  bird's  soft  feathered  breast 


[87] 


To  realm  whose  graven  crown 
Bears  no  word  but  "Rest" ; 
The  world — to  lose  its  seeming,- 
Life — to  lose  its  qualms, — 
To  lose  one's  self  in  dreaming 
In  thy  seductive  arms ! 

Oh  Sleep !   To  win  thy  favor — 
What  favor  could'st  thou  ask 
That  heart  would  not  discover 
And  bow  unto  its  task ! 


[88] 


REMEMBRANCE 

EMORY'S  ship  gathers  its  lading 
As  it  sails  the  course  of  the  years 
And  takes  from  Life  of  its  joys  and  its  griefs, 
Of  its  hopes  and  its  smiles  and  its  tears. 
The  skipper,  Time,  conning  his  chart, 
Through  waters  deep  and  shoal, 
Enters  each  port  and  stores  in  the  hold 
Values  of  tribute  and  toll. 
Hid  away  in  the  cargo  we  find 
Treasures  that  none  would  refuse, — 
That  ne'er  would  Time  nor  Fond  Remembrance 
E'er  their  lading  lose ; — 
Mementos  of  days  and  hours  that  now 
May  cause  the  tears  to  start, 
And  yet  we  hold  them  guarded — treasured — 
Deep  in  the  depths  of  the  heart. 


[89] 


4697? 


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